John Dierker

John Richard Dierker Jr. of Rock Hall, Maryland died on Sunday, October 17, 2010 in the Chester River Hospital Center, Chestertown, MD. He was 87 years old. Born on March 24, 1923 in Tolchester, Maryland, he was the son of the late, John Richard Dierker Sr. and Edna Lillian Gears. Mr. Dierker owned and operated a dairy farm outside of Fairlee until the late 1960’s. In 1965, he and his wife purchased the old Pat Leonard’s Store at McCleans Corner and renamed it John and Gerry’s. Today, it is still referred to as Dierker’s Corner. The store was in operation until January 1983 when it was destroyed by fire. A new store was built and reopened in September of 1983 where Mr. Dierker worked until his retirement in 1988. Mr. Dierker was a former member of Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company and the Kent Co. Farm Bureau. He is a member of the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church where he was church secretary for 19 years. He was also a member of the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company Marching Band during the 50’s and early 60’s. Mr. Dierker enjoyed harness racing, going to the slots, watching baseball, and spending time with his great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Dierker was preceded in death by his wife, Gerry, and one sister, Elizabeth DeVed Barnes. He is survived by three daughters, Nancy Miller of Chestertown, MD, Sue Ann Elliott of Rock Hall, MD, and Dorothy Hepbron of Chestertown, MD; one son, John R. Dierker III of Rock Hall, MD; a sister, Edna Marie Hubbard-Sutton of Rock Hall, MD; a brother, Frank R. Dierker of Chestertown, MD; five grandchildren, Dorothy Ann Lobley of Worton, MD, Stephanie Usilton of Rock Hall, MD, Kerri Brandow of Wittman, MD, Kelley Yiannakis of Goldsboro, MD and Michael Edwards of Salisbury, MD; and seven great-grandchildren, Jason and Christopher Lobley, Benjamin and Brian Usilton, Jeremy Brandow, Aerianna Edwards, and PJ Yiannakis. A funeral service will be held Friday, October 22, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, MD where friends may call on Thursday, October 21st from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Interment will be in Wesley Chapel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in his memory to Chester River Homecare & Hospice, 6602 Church Hill Road, Suite 300, Chestertown, MD 21620, Kent & Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad, Inc., P.O. 126, Chestertown, MD 21620 or Rock Hall Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Company, P.O. Box 577, Rock Hall, MD 21661.

John Dierker

March 24, 1923 - October 17, 2010